[0008] The object of the present invention is to provide a coffee maker for a vehicle that can be used conveniently as a normal coffee maker during use, and can be downsized when not in use to minimize the space taken up by the coffee maker.
[0010] According to the present coffee maker, in order to
mount a coffee server, the lock mechanism is unlocked and the sets of folding arms in folded states are extended. Since at least two sets of folding arms are disposed on each side of the coffee maker body, respectively, the holder fixed to the lower end of the folding arms descend in parallel to the coffee maker body when the arms are being extended. Thus, a space is secured between the maker body and the holder, and a coffee server can be mounted on the holder that is held horizontally and stably. When the coffee maker is not in use, the folding arms can be folded so as to approximate the holder to the coffee maker body, by which the space taken up by the coffee maker can be minimized in a very short time.
[0011] According to the present coffee maker, the lock mechanism is equipped with a lever fixed to the coffee maker body and in contact with at least a bottom surface of the holder taking its elevated position, wherein the lock can be unlocked by releasing the lever from the holder. By utilizing as the lock mechanism a lever that comes into contact with at least the bottom surface of the holder taking the elevated position, the weight of the holder can be supported by the lever, and the holder can be locked in position so as not to move unexpectedly away from the coffee maker body. The lever is only required to have a locking and unlocking mechanism for the holder, and the movement of the lever or the biasing force thereof can be determined appropriately.
[0012] The present folding coffee maker can be applied to the galley installed in a vehicle such as an aircraft, a railway vehicle, a ship or a camping car. In a vehicle such as an aircraft, a railway vehicle, a ship or a camping car, not much space is allowed to be occupied by the galley. The application of the present folding coffee maker to the galley contributes to downsizing the space of the galley while enabling to provide the same coffee and beverage services as before to the passengers.
[0013] It is preferable for the folding coffee maker applied to a galley to receive supply of hot water for
brewing coffee from a hot-
water supply unit equipped to the galley. If the coffee maker itself must be equipped with a heating device for heating cold water to make hot water, the coffee maker body becomes bulky, taking up too much space. Therefore, by receiving supply of hot water for
brewing coffee from a hot-
water supply unit equipped to the galley, the space taken up by the coffee maker can be reduced, and thus, the coffee maker can contribute to
cutting down the space required for the galley.
[0015] According to the coffee maker of the present invention arranged as described above, the coffee maker can be utilized conveniently during use as a normal coffee maker, but when it is not in use, the coffee maker can be folded up and stowed in a compact fashion. As a result, the installation space for the coffee maker can be downsized, and the cleared space can be utilized for other purposes.